Use of BSL requires planning at storyboard stage. Many
signs require that the body is seen from waist up, so no conventional
close-ups on a 'talking-head' if the 'talker' is to express themselves
using signing. Props such as pitch-forks will be an obstacle, as will
signing at points of stress when the protagonists might otherwise be holding
on for grim 'life'.

The
idea to support British Sign Language came while watching late night signed
repeats and realising that it is straightforward to create picture-in-picture
signer's images in After Effects or Final Cut video editing software.
It seems wrong to create two versions - with and without signing support
- especially for a children's programme that would be unsuitable for late
night broadcast. The Tony Hart 'Vision On' television series which featured
Aardman's 'Morph' claymation was originally produced with deaf children
in mind, so there is worthy precedent.

Implementing
British Sign Language would make the animation fully accessible to deaf children who can sign BSL.
Imps! will retain a sound track but this will not be
essential to comprehension. While the imps will be fluent, new souls may
need to be taught a phrase or two each episode which could prove useful
to young deaf children and since children are so naturally quick to learn
some of it may be absorbed by non-deaf children and help to reduce the
mysteries of BSL and promote better communication in the playground. A
child that can learn the names of over a hundred Pokemon can learn some
sign language. It could even catch on as a 'secret' classroom code behind the teacher's
back... which may spur more teachers to learn BSL.

Support
for BSL would add an extra dimension and challenge to the project. It also
opens the doors to specialist funding and distribution channels. Signing support has to be done properly so that Imps! can be defended
against accusations of cynical targeting of funding or of patronising
the deaf community. Imps! has the potential to raise the profile of BSL
and if the context proves in any way controversial that can increase the
publicity. Deaf organisations are welcome to disown Imps! while exploiting
any media interest to put forward their own agenda.

As
a personal motivation my mother had Alzheimer's. In assisting with her
bank account I found that she supported one charity through direct
debit - The National Deaf Children's Society.